Extreme Performance Tyre? High performance tyre? Touring tyre? Comfort tyre?
When it comes to purchasing tyre, its not just about the types of tyres (summer, all season, all weather), but also the category which determines the tyre performance. Tyre performance affects driving experience, and your driving habit decide which one suit you the most. Not the technician or salesperson who uses various reasons to convince you to buy tyres that they want you to install.
I also came across several customers who wanted to get Pilot Sport 4 (ultra high performance) but its out of stock. they look for Primacy 4 (touring comfort) instead of looking for the same category substitute such as Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6 (F1A6) and Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
The result? Some drivers complaint about the performance not meeting up their expectations. Then they complaint about the brand rather than the tyre model.
This article will list out different categories of tyre models to assist your decision to install your desired tyres. I classify them into three main categories – extreme performance, (ultra) high performance and touring comfort models.
(Ultra) High Performance Tyre
High Performance Tyre category can be separated into (in order of traction level):
Max performance > Ultra Ultra High Performance (UUHP) > Ultra High Performance (UHP) > High Performance
To make it simple, it is easier to see these tyres as high performance category. These tyres give you high control steering, stick on the road better than touring comfort models.
Pros:
- High traction
- High control
- Short braking distance
Cons:
- High wearoff (easily worn off)
- Noiser than touring tyres
- More fuel(electric) consumption
Examples of high performance tyre:
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S (Max Performance) | Michelin Pilot Sport 5 (Ultra high performance) | Continental Sport Contact 7 (Ultra high performance) |
| Continental MaxContact 7 (Ultra high performance) | Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 6 (Ultra high performance) | Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo (Ultra high performance) |
| Kumho Ecsta Sport S (PS72S) (Ultra high performance) | Dunlop Sport Maxx 060+ (Ultra high performance) | Toyo Proxes Sport 2 (Ultra high performance) |
Suitable for drivers who:
- Speed, especially during cornering (spirited / performance driving)
- Wanted a shorter braking distance
- With absolute high grip as first priority
Touring Tyres
Some brands offer touring tyres with two categories. One for better grip level and the other purely for fuel efficient and comfort. One example of this will be Yokohama Advan dB V553 vs Yokohama BluEarth AE51. Advan dB V553 offers higher grip than AE51.
These types of tyre provide low rolling resistant (fuel saving) and comfort for your journey. An exact opposite of high performance tyre. As the name implies, tour, is for driving for a long distance (and the need for comfort).
Pros:
- Low noise
- Low wearoff (higher mileage usage)
- Low fuel(electric) consumption
Cons:
- Grip and control not as good as high performance tyre
- Longer braking distance compared to high performance tyre
Examples of touring comfort tyre:
Suitable for drivers who:
- Always keep some distance away from other vehicles
- Comfort and Low noise as first priority
Extreme Performance Tyres
Aka semi-slick tyres. These tyres are legally permitted for street use. They are not completely smooth racing slicks; instead, they retain partial tread patterns to balance water drainage and compliance with road regulations.
Pros:
- Very high dry traction
Cons:
- Very high fuel consumption
- Very high wear off
- Very noisy
Examples of extreme performance tyre:
| Bridgestone RE-71RZ | Toyo R1R / R888R | Michelin Cup 2 |
Conclusion
With more people purchasing new (electric) vehicles, they come across different brands and models that do not fit their driving habit. I have customers who complaint original equipped Michelin e.Primacy slip during rainy days. They have no idea that what they need is high performance tyre rather than a touring comfort tyre.
Whether the tyre is summer or all season and electric vehicle tyre or normal tyre, each of them will fall into one of this category. Knowing the basic of the tyre, finding out whether you need a summer tyre or all season tyre, high performance or touring comfort tyre, and corresponding tread pattern (asymmetric vs symmetric vs directional) will help you to get the most suitable tyre for your vehicle.
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To purchase automotive tire, batteries and automobile, travel and personal insurance in HK, whatsapp Jimmy +852 5113 0668
Other related articles:
-> Summer tyre vs all season tyre vs all weather tyre
-> Tyre Tread Pattern Explained – Asymmetric vs Symmetric vs Directional
-> Electric Vehicle Tyre vs Normal tyre
Other articles:
-> Tyre related information
-> Automotive Battery related information
-> Vehicle maintenance and DIY
-> Global Travel Guide
